Former 4-Her returns to headline fair concert

Being back felt so good.

Grace Scott remembers hustling through the Johnson County Fairgrounds year after year, putting together projects for 4-H, showing cattle and being with her friends.

Those days are well behind her. But the impact of her time in 4-H has shaped her life, and she’s making her return in a big way.

“When I look back on my childhood and teen years I can definitively say that 4-H was that force that shaped me into the woman I am today,” she said. “4-H offered me numerous leadership opportunities that helped grow my self-confidence and speaking skills. 4-H taught me time management, organization, and the value of servant leadership. All of these skills have served me well in the music industry and as a high school English educator.”

Scott, founder of the Grace Scott Band, has built up a career in country music. Her band has fostered a growing fanbase and played with big-time names in country music. Already, she’s been a big part of the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair week, singing the national anthem and performing a handful of songs at the 100 Year Celebration recognizing 4-H’s centennial on Sunday.

Thursday, she and her band take the stage for a headlining performance at 7 p.m. in the grandstands.

“I cut my teeth as a performer through the 4-H Share the Fun talent show and serving as the entertainment for the Miss Johnson County Queen Contest,” she said. “It will mean so much to look out to the crowd and see so many faces that are near and dear to me — friends and family who have helped me through the years, cheered me on through the years and pushed me to be the best I can be.”

Scott grew up surrounded by music, as generations of her family on both sides were performers and lovers of music.

“My mother has sang and performed her entire life so you could say I was born with music humming through my veins. I grew up singing with my mother in church and I am so grateful she passed along her heritage of faith, hard work and music to me,” she said.

Around the time she was 14, Scott started performing around the Johnson County area. She fit in shows between her schoolwork and her responsibilities for 4-H, mostly caring for cattle on her grandparents’ small dairy farm.

The experience laid the foundation for success throughout her life.

“Through showing cattle all 10 years I learned determination, work ethic, grit, and how to handle both loss and victory gracefully,” she said.

As a student at Purdue University, Scott studied English education, earning her bachelor’s degree. She moved to rural Cass County, focused on her teaching career and started a family with her husband, Wes. They had children, and music took a backseat to the rest of her life.

But in 2017, she re-engaged with performing when she became the worship leader at Revolution Community Church in Logansport.

“I felt like it was time to get back to my roots and begin singing again. I was searching for other musicians to work with but it wasn’t until I began serving in my church that I found the right fit,” she said.

When the bass player in the church’s worship band suggested forming a country band, Scott enthusiastically jumped in. The Grace Scott Band melds classic country songs with originals written by Scott, her husband Wes and bassist Steve Isaacs.

Much of their music is a nod to Scott’s roots: Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain and Patty Loveless. At the same time, they try to blend the classics with newer artists such as Morgan Wade, Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson. Scott even tries to weave in a little Fleetwood Mac and Brooks & Dunn into the show.

“I love to sing songs that bring emotion, get people to dance, sing along and smile. So many of the great country songs from across the years evoke memories for the audience and I love watching people let go of the stress of their daily lives and get lost in the music,” she said.

Over the past seven years, the Grace Scott Band has built a reputation performing around Indiana and beyond. The group has opened for acts such as Riley Green, Deanna Carter, LOCASH and Little Texas.

Seeing their fan base grow and experiencing the joy their music brings has been incredible, Scott said. Few things were as exciting as their performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

Grace and Wes Scott were honored by the venerable country music behemoth for their work as co-writers on a song, “Flowers.” The song was named Traditional Country Song of the Year by the Josie Music Awards, which recognizes independent artists.

“Almost 80,000 songs were submitted by independent artists, and it was an out-of-body experience to hear our names called and our song played on stage,” she said. “I was just praying I could calm down enough to step into the circle and accept the award with my husband by my side.”

Thursday’s performance at the Johnson County fair will only add to the memories Scott has made on stage.

“It really is a dream come true to play the grandstands at the Johnson County Fair,” she said.

IF YOU GO

Grace Scott Band

What: A musical performance by Scott, a former Johnson County 4-Her, and her band playing a mix of original songs and country covers.

When; 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Grandstands at the Johnson County Fairgrounds